UFC 334 gets new middleweight matchup after Baisangur Susurkaev withdraws

UFC 334 has reshuffled its middleweight lineup after undefeated prospect Baisangur Susurkaev withdrew from his scheduled bout against fellow prospect Donte Johnson. Cesar Almeida stepped in to face Johnson at the November 14 event at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Susurkaev (12-0) and Johnson (9-0) had been positioned as one of the card's most intriguing undercard matchups. The Russian prospect withdrew for undisclosed reasons. Almeida (7-3), a Brazilian middleweight, is coming off a first-round knockout loss to Damian Pinas in July and carries a 3-3 UFC record. Johnson, meanwhile, is undefeated inside the UFC at 3-0, most recently stopping Eric McConico at UFC 330 after prior wins over Cody Brundage and Sedriques Dumas.